Phil Mickelson rips Couples for ‘jerk move’ comments about Koepka and LIV

Phil Mickelson joined LIV in 2022. Photograph: Mary Altaffer/AP

Phil Mickelson has opened a war of words with a fellow Masters champion, accusing Fred Couples of a “low class jerk move” with comments relating to Brooks Koepka.

Speculation has swirled for some time that Koepka, who joined the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV circuit in a $100m deal in 2022, is seeking a return to the PGA Tour. The lack of competitive rounds available on LIV is supposedly of concern to Koepka. Couples fuelled that suggestion when speaking to Seattle radio station KJR 93.3 FM this week. “He wants to come back,” Couples said of Koepka. “I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the tour.”